Design of a Tile Made from Waste Rubbers that Generates Electricity from

Human Footsteps

CHAPTER 1
THE PROBLEM AND A REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

1.1. Introduction

The demand of sustainable development among the nations is unavoidable and has been one of the
major priorities of the world leaders’ vision to ensure prolong conservation of the environment
and society. However, with the rise in consumption of the main non-renewable energy such as the
fossil fuel, the world is experiencing energy crisis as this non-renewable energy will deplete and
vanish accordingly within a few decades minimum or a few centuries maximum. Therefore, it is
crucial to kick start a commandment or implement a vision to avoid the crisis and find alternative
source of energy to continue our civilization. (Chua Yaw Long, Lim Jia Yee, Tay Tee Tiong,
2016).

At present, electricity has become a lifeline for human population. Its demand is increasing day by
day. Modern technology needs a huge amount of electrical power for its various operations.
Electricity production is the single largest source of pollution in the whole world. At one hand,
rising concern about the gap between demand and supply of electricity for masses has highlighted
the exploration of alternate sources of energy and its sustainable use. On the other hand, human
population all over the world and hence energy demand is increasing day by day linearly. (Kiran
Boby, Aleena Paul K Dept of EEE, MACE, Kothamangalam, April 2014).

The key solution for this problem is the production of electricity using renewable energy resources.

Renewable energy is energy produced from sources that do not deplete or can be replenished
within a human’s life time. The most common examples include wind, solar, geothermal, biomass,
and hydropower. This is in contrast to non-renewable sources such as fossil fuels.
Renewable energy systems are a major topic when discussing the globe's energy future for two
main reasons:

1. Renewable energy systems provide energy from sources that will never deplete.
2. Renewable energy systems produce less greenhouse gas emissions than fossil fuel energy
systems.

All energy sources have some impact on our environment. Fossil fuels—coal, oil, and natural
gas—do substantially more harm than renewable energy sources by most measures, including air
and water pollution, damage to public health, wildlife and habitat loss, water use, land use, and
global warming emissions.

However, renewable sources such as wind, solar, geothermal, biomass and hydropower also have
environmental impacts, some of which are significant.

 Wind Energy

Harnessing power from the wind is one of the cleanest and most sustainable ways to generate
electricity as it produces no toxic pollution or global warming emissions. Wind is also abundant,
inexhaustible, and affordable, which makes it a viable and large-scale alternative to fossil fuels. A
wind harvesting generator are a bit remarkable, unlike other electrical power sources in the field
of electricity, the rotor of the turbine works with power source and gives a fluctuating mechanical
torque (Scansen, 2012).

Despite its vast potential, there are a variety of environmental impacts associated with wind power
generation that should be recognized and mitigated. They include land use issues, challenges to
wildlife and habitat, community, sound and visual impact. (Wiser, Ryan, and Mark Bolinger.
2017).

 Solar Energy

Like wind power, the sun provides a tremendous resource for generating clean and sustainable
electricity. The environmental impacts associated with solar power can include land use and
habitat loss, water use, and the use of hazardous materials in manufacturing, though the types of
impacts vary greatly depending on the scale of the system and the technology used—photovoltaic
(PV) solar cells or concentrating solar thermal plants (CSP). Another problem considering solar
energy is that it is Weather Dependent. Although solar energy can still be collected during cloudy
and rainy days, the efficiency of the solar system drops. Solar panels are dependent on sunlight to
effectively gather solar energy. Therefore, a few cloudy, rainy days can have a noticeable effect
on the energy system. You should also take into account that solar energy cannot be collected
during the night. (Unger, David J. 2012)

 Geothermal Energy

The most widely developed type of geothermal power plant (known as hydrothermal plants) are
located near geologic “hot spots” where hot molten rock is close to the earth’s crust and produces
hot water. In other regions enhanced geothermal systems (or hot dry rock geothermal), which
involve drilling into Earth’s surface to reach deeper geothermal resources, can allow broader
access to geothermal energy. The geothermal energy harvester is capable of producing an output
power of a few10 to 100 µW and voltages in the volt-range from small temperature gradients of
only a few Kelvin (Stark, 2006).

 Biomass Resources

Biomass can be used to create transportation fuels and generate electricity. The energy has
emerged as one of the major alternative’s sources of power generation over the past few years,
produced from the organic matter of various sources such as plants, wood and animals.

Some of the common ways biomass energy is used and has been used for generations produce a
high level of carbon dioxide. This occurs when wood is burned. Cutting down forests to use wood
as a biomass fuel has damaged many third world countries that did not plan for any forest
conservation or renewal. Biomass fuels such as ethanol are no less a pollutant than fossil fuels.
Combustion of ethanol is incomplete and this produces the black carbon which is known to
increase global warming. Another problem with biofuels is that they are created using food crops.
Instead of being exported to feed people, a field of corn will be harvested and sold to a huge
corporation that produces biofuels. (Deyette, J., and B. Freese. 2010).
  Hydroelectric Power

Hydropower is the most important and widely-used renewable source of energy. Hydropower
represents about 17 percent of total electricity production. Hydroelectric power includes both
massive hydroelectric dams and small run-of-the-river plants. (National Academy of Sciences,
2010).

Hydropower is non-polluting, but does have environmental impacts. Hydropower facilities can
affect land use, homes, and natural habitats in the dam area. Reservoirs may cover people’s homes,
important natural areas, agricultural land, and archaeological sites. (Energy Information Agency
(EIA), 2017). Hydroelectricity is hydrology dependent. The system depends on precipitation
levels, which can fluctuate from year to year, causing instability. In some cases, hydroelectricity
can disrupt wildlife habitat. Hydroelectric power plants can cause a loss or modification of fish
habitat, and lead to the entrapment of fish and the restriction of their passages. (National
Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), 2012.)

Renewable energy can be of many different forms and sources. One of the latest researches on
renewable energy harvesting is the power harvesting technique using piezo-elements, it was first
seen in the late 1880 and introduced by Pierre and Jacques Curie.

 Piezoelectricity

The piezoelectric effect converts kinetic energy in the form of vibrations or shocks into electrical
energy. Piezoelectric generators (energy harvesters) offer a robust and reliable solution by
converting normally wasted vibration energy in the environment to usable electrical energy.

The best-known application is the electric cigarette lighter: pressing the button causes a spring-
loaded hammer to hit a piezoelectric crystal, producing a sufficiently high-voltage electric
current that flows across a small spark gap, thus heating and igniting the gas.

The portable sparkers used to ignite gas stoves work the same way, and many types of gas
burners now have built-in piezo-based ignition systems.

Piezoelectric materials can be used to convert oscillatory mechanical energy into electrical energy.
This technology, together with innovative civil and mechanical coupling designs, can form the
basis for harvesting energy from mechanical motion.
Accordingly, it is an objective of the present invention to provide a method of electrical power
generation from this ever-increasing human population that does not negatively impact the
environment. This technology is based on a principle called the piezoelectric effect, in which
certain materials have the ability to build up an electrical charge from having pressure and strain
applied to them. Harvesting of energy which means energy is already available, but is going to
waste if not utilized. Embedded piezoelectric material can provide the magic of converting
pressure exerted by the moving people into electric current.

In addition with the problem regarding renewable energy resources, countries and cities have
been faced with major increasing problems with the disposal of recycled materials, such as
rubber, glass, and plastics for several years. The consumption of the world's rubber has nearly
reached 24.9 million tons in year 2010. In 2018, the production volume of rubber in the
Philippines was approximately 423.4 thousand metric tons. In the same year, the production
value of rubber in the country was around 9.9 billion Philippine pesos. (Martha Jean
Sanchez, Sep 18, 2019). In view of the wide and vast market for scrap tires, about a quarter of all
scrap tires end-up in landfills numbering to approximately 27 million tires or roughly 6 million
tons annually, making-up over 12% of all solid waste. The disposal of the scrap tires materials
become very costly once they are sent to landfills; not to mention the wide space that they use in
landfills to dispose of, and the hazard that they cause towards the environment.

These waste rubber tires are a challenging source of waste, due to the large volume produced, the
durability of the tires, and the components in the tire that are ecologically problematic. For
instance, rubber tires decompose naturally over a fairly reasonable-sounding period of 50 to 80
years. (Nickolas J. Themelis, March 8, 2016)

This study attempts to discover a new alternative way of generating electricity from renewable
resources with the application of civil engineering specifications in designing a tile that harvests
electricity from human footsteps, at the same time helping to save our environment by using waste
rubbers as the primary patio paver.
 1.2. Objectives of the Study

General Objective:

 To design an electricity-generating tile that can be an alternative for other renewable energy
resources and to reduce the volume of waste rubbers tires.

Specific Objectives:

 To test the constraint locations, deformation, and maximum stress of the designed tile.
 To determine the effectiveness and efficiency in harvesting energy of the designed tile
along sidewalks in San Fernando Elementary School.
 To determine the cost-effectiveness of the tile.

1.3. Significance of the Study

Electricity is so important. Mobile phones, computer, internet, heating system, televisions, light
bulb, almost all of modern conveniences are electrically powered. The need of electricity is about
everything. No wonder, the demand of electricity keeps increasing to follow population growth,
prosperity improvement, and economic growth as a whole. Despite the importance of electricity
and the greater demand of it, many countries still lack access of electricity. Most of the reason is
about the amount of electricity payment. Then, the piezoelectric tile is the promising option to
overcome the greater demand of electricity as well as the lack access of electricity.

This study will help the Community and Society. It will help in decreasing the consumption of
electricity thus improving the community and society. The tile also can overcome the electricity
problem as the survival electricity generator when such disaster or extreme weather causes power
loss. The piezoelectric tile is not only renewable electricity source but also unique, safe, reliable,
and economic because waste materials will be used.
Government. The government will have less problem dealing with consumption of electricity in
the area. Environment. The study will reduce the discomposing and burning of waste rubber tires,
hence, it will help the environment.

Lastly, the study will help the Economy. Growing population which is considered to be a bane is
used advantageously with piezoelectric application. A nonconventional, nonpolluting form of
energy can be harvested, maintaining the economic standards of common laymen due to the
electricity is produced from the mechanical stress on the piezoelectric tile.

1.4. Scope and Limitation

1.4.1 Scope

For this study, the researchers aim to design an Electricity-Generating Tile. The nature of
this research is about Renewable Energy Source. Moreover, the field of the study will focus on
Materials Engineering. The design and construction will be based on the different methods such
as FEM analysis and Static analysis using softwares like Autocad and ANSYS.

The idea is to convert pressurized weight energy from human footsteps into the electrical
energy and it is possible by piezo-electric transducer sensor attached in tiles. With further
advancement in the field of engineering, better synthesized piezoelectric crystals and better
selection of place of installations, more electricity can be generated and it can be viewed as a next
promising source of generating electricity. It may be in micro-scale but we can save electrical
energy which is enough for LEDs, sidewalks or floor lights, etc. At most it is not polluting our
environment and not consuming any non-renewable source.

1.4.2 Limitations

The researchers will focus only on the design and mechanism of the tile. Electrical and
Mechanical design and components will be the limitation.
 In applying this research, the temperature and environmental conditions of the location
shall be considered because those can affect the behavior of the piezoelectric transducer sensor.
Elevated temperatures cause an additional drop in internal resistance and sensitivity.

Small amount of energy is produced per piezo element, per step, the aggregation of such
systems in heavily trafficked areas can produce a significant amount of electricity to be stored for
local onsite powering of street signs, lights, and other facilities.

Over the previous decades, piezo application was set aside, because the generation of
electricity by mechanical to electrical conversion is very low. However, as the technology
continuous to develop, the challenge is to create a new piezo material that generates a relatively
high output of electricity.

1.5. Study Area

San Fernando Elementary School (SFES) is a public central - elementary school in the Division of
City of San Fernando (P). With an area of 24, 561 m2, San Fernando Elementary School to date,
is the biggest public elementary school in the City of San Fernando, and of the province of
Pampanga. It is located at B. Mendoza St. Barangay Sto. Rosario, City of San Fernando,
Pampanga. Strategically located in the heart of Barangay Sto. Rosario. San Fernando Elementary
School offers an elementary education from Kindergarten to Grade six that accessibly caters to
every need of the learners.

Figure 1.1 Map Location of San Fernando Elementary School

With an enrolment of almost 8,000 pupils, San Fernando Elementary School also has an enormous
number of school teachers and staff. A total of 226 teachers are assigned in the school. 8 teachers
is acting as Department Head, 10 teachers in Kinder, 20 teachers in Grade 1, 22 teachers in Grade
2, 24 teachers in Grade 3, 26 teachers in Grade 4, 28 teachers in Grade 5, 26 teachers in Grade 6,
15 teacher in SPED Gifted and Talented (SPED GT) and Special Science Class (SSC), 11 teachers
in SPED Children with Special Needs (SPED CSN), 12 teachers in Edukasyong Pantahanan at
Pangkabuhayan (EPP), 2 teachers in ALIVE, 1 teacher in ALS 1 teacher in Abot - Alam and the
remaining teachers are deployed to other schools. (Source:
https://sites.google.com/site/sanfernandoelemschool/home/1-about-us-3)

Figure 1.2 Front Gate of San Fernando Elementary School

For the reason that SFES is the biggest public elementary school in the City of San Fernando, and
of the province of Pampanga, it is only necessary for this school to consume large amount of
electricity daily. Piezoelectric Tile can help SFES to decrease the consumption of electricity by
placing them along the sidewalks of the school. It is also an additional source of electricity so in
case of power interruptions at night it will serve as a back-up power for the perimeter lights and
other necessary electrical components needed to secure the school. Also, the fact that SFES holds
a huge number of pupils and other staff in school and it is located adjacent to the public market
and the center of the town, the people that pass through the perimeter of this school can used
advantageously with piezoelectric application. The more people step on the pathway where the
Piezoelectric Tile are, the more electricity is collected.
 Figure 1.3 Sidewalk in Front of San Fernando Elementary School

1.6. Review of Related Literature

A study from ICACE stated that harvesting kinetic energies is a sustainable method for generating
electricity without depleting natural resources. The main mechanisms for kinetic energy harvesting
are piezoelectric, electromagnetic, electrostatic or by using magneto strictive materials. This study
focuses on harvesting of walking energy and aims to compare different technologies used for
converting of walking energy to electricity, and identify the most effective technology. Several
types of harvester located on body of user to harvest kinetic energy of body during walking, while
some pavement slabs are produced for harvesting energy. The paper concludes that the pavement
equipped with the harvesters would be more reliable than the body located technologies since it is
independent of the physiological parameters. Moreover, the piezoelectric transduction is more
desirable due to its advantages such as simplicity and flexibility, while produce less current output
than the electromagnetic transduction. (Elham Maghsoudi Nia, Lin, G, 2012).
According to Kenneth P. Glynn, Flemington, NJ, Dec. 3, 2009, The invention relates generally to
recycled tire paver blocks (also called patio blocks) that may be used for any paver application,
including walkways, patios, pools and landscape treatments, as well as other applications, such as
paddock pathways, and exercise and gym areas. By “pavers” is meant blocks that are designed to
interfit, like bricks or patio blocks, to create a pattern or array of units to accommodate different
size areas that are typically walked upon. The present invention recycled tire paver blocks have
unique construction and hidden interconnectors. The pavers are composed of binder(s), optional
colorant and shredded rubber. The shredded rubber, also known as crumb rubber, is made
predominantly of recycled shredded rubber and is preferably entirely shredded rubber from used,
recycled tires.

Students in some universities here in the Philippines conducted some studies on how they can use
human motion to develop a mechanical energy and convert it into electrical energy. One of the
studies was conducted by a mechanical engineering from Bataan Peninsula State University main
campus, the project is designed to charge two (2) batteries, 12 VDC, 2.55 AH through an alternator.
The 12V alternator is directly connected to the rear wheel of the bicycle. The motor has two-stage
Reduction Gear. The first stage reduction from the motor is 13:40 teeth while the second stage
16:44 teeth with an overall ratio of 8.46. Once the batteries are charged, a switch connected in a
series connected in series from battery 1 to battery 2, they supply the needed voltage of the motor
24VDC, 180watts, and 2500rpm. This study uses alternator to charge two batteries with a switch
connected in a series to supply the 24 Volts motor in operating the bicycle without cranking
(Bagaoisan, 2011).

Another study is from the electrical engineering students of Mapúa Institute of Technology batch
2013, they conducted a study about piezoelectric transducers as an alternative source of energy,
and they produced a device that could collect energy by using the stairs in their buildings. The
study will provide a substitute energy source for the light loading in Mapúa Institute of Technology
which is renewable and environmentally friendly (Atienza, Deocampo, Jovena and Trinidad,
2013).
Pavegen has come up with another innovative idea, which is to generate electricity from kinetic
energy. Since there are a large number of students patronizing the Student Union Building, the
AMS is considering installing Pavegen tiles into the new SUB building in an effort to promote
sustainability. This paper will investigate the advantages and disadvantages of the installation of
Pavegen using triple bottom line assessment. From the economical aspect, the tiles payback period
is much longer than the lifetime of the tiles which means that the cost of this project exceeds its
economic benefit. Meanwhile, from the social aspect, there is a possibility that Pavegen can help
raise the awareness of sustainability amongst the students patronizing the SUB and strengthen the
image of UBC as global leader of sustainability. However, Pavegen may bring up some ethical
issues such as harvesting human energy without their consent. Lastly, from the environmental
aspect, based on an observation and a few assumptions, the total evergy Pavegen will produce in
its lifetime is found not able to cover the carbon footprint resulted from the manufacturing and
shipping of the product. Pavegen Company claims that the durability of its product is 20 million
steps (Gizmag, 2011). Each footstep on a tile can generate about 0.29 watts per hour on average
(based on our calculation in the following section). Meanwhile, the battery can be customized
depending on the requirements. The cost of each tile is $4,052CDN, taxes not included. The
product is made of recycled rubber and aluminum (World Architecture News, 2011). The AMS is
considering on introducing this device into the new SUB by placing eight tiles of this device on
the main stairway. In this paper, an assessment on the product is done using triple bottom line
assessment that investigates the product’s impacts through economical, societal and environmental
aspects. (Zhen Liang Seow University of British Columbia, November 24, 2011).
Baylis is wearing a pair of experimental boots with soles made from a piezoelectric material, which
generates high voltages of electricity when compressed. John Grantham, an engineer with Texon
International, is wearing boots with a tiny dynamo built into the heel. Depending on the outcome
of the desert trials, Baylis plans to commercialize one or both technologies. Baylis has co-launched
a startup, the Electric Shoe Company, to bring power-generating footwear to market, possibly
within a year. Baylis' latest project, piezoelectric boots, depends on the property of certain crystals
to generate electrical charges under mechanical load. For years, piezoelectric materials have been
used in the electronic ignition switches on gas stoves. But instead of generating a charge for a
spark, Baylis' boots convert the electricity into a trickle of current capable of charging a cell phone
battery. By Thursday, when he walks into range of the nearest cell tower, Baylis' boots should
have generated enough power to make an international phone call to British entrepreneur Richard
Branson, head of the Virgin empire.

Future refinements should enable the boots to generate between 1 and 3 watts of power, which
would be sufficient to run a host of gadgets, Gilbert said. His Electric Shoe Company is funded
by Texon International, the world's largest manufacturer of footwear components, supplying soles
and shoe linings to Nike, Adidas, Reebok and Dr. Martens. Texon engineers developed the
piezoelectric boots. "We want to be the Intel of the footwear industry," said Piers Hubbard-Miles,
managing director of the Electric Shoe Company, which plans to license power-generating
technologies to shoe manufacturers. "In theory it works," said Hubbert-Miles. "But it looks like
it's going to be so complex it will be on a par with making a Swiss watch." Electric boots and shoes
will be useful for backpackers, hikers, and people working in the wilderness, Hubbert-Miles said.
The British and U.S. military have also shown interest because the biggest supply problem faced
by armies is providing troops in the field with fresh batteries for telecommunications equipment,
Hubbert-Miles said.

Already, the Electric Shoe Company has contracted to supply boot-power technology to the British
Department of Defense's Defense Evaluation and Research Agency – the U.K. equivalent
of DARPA. DARPA's effort to harness 1–2 watts from continuous shoe impact while walking
were abandoned due to the impracticality and the discomfort from the additional energy expended
by a person wearing the shoes. (Trevor Baylis, 2000).
 1.7. Conceptual Framework

DATA FIELD
GATHERING INSPECTION

DESIGN OF THE MANUAL COUNTING

PROTOTYPE OF PASSING
PEDESTRIANS

SOFTWARE MATERIALS
TESTING PREPARATION

TESTING OF CONSTRUCTION
PROTOTYPE OF PROTOTYPE

CLARIFICATION CONCLUSION
OF RESULTS
The first step is to gather data, such as weight and the number of individuals passing by the
sidewalks in Downtown San Fernando, Pampanga. After gathering all the necessary data, the next
step is to develop a design that is both pleasing to the eye and people can walk through it with
ease. Next is to test the designed prototype using a software that will calculate the strength due to
load applied to the tile. After number of successful tests, the researchers will canvass all the
materials needed to produce the prototype namely the platform and the piezoelectric disks in order
for the prototype to be produced. After canvassing all the materials needed for the prototype, the
researchers will start the construction of the prototype, and after constructing the prototype, initial
testing of the prototype will begin. Testing procedure will consist of monitoring the strength of the
prototype by placing it along the sidewalks in Downtown San Fernando where most people passes
by. And also, part of the testing is the effectiveness and efficiency of the prototype. If the prototype
works, the next step is to document all the proof of the testing. After documenting all the necessary
steps and testing procedures, clarification of results will begin, clarification of the assessment
about the prototype and the testing results will be documented. After documenting all the
clarifications about the prototype, the researchers will have conclusions and other
recommendations to improve the prototype in order to create a better and more effective and
efficient design.
 1.8. Definition of Terms

Renewable energy- is energy that is collected from renewable resources, which are naturally
replenished on a human timescale, such as sunlight, wind, rain, tides, waves, and geothermal
heat.

Piezoelectricity- is the electric charge that accumulates in certain solid materials in response to
applied mechanical stress. The word piezoelectricity means electricity resulting from pressure
and latent heat.

Patio Paver- a paved outdoor area adjoining a house. It is an outdoor floor or superficial surface
covering.

Rubber- a tough elastic polymeric substance made from the latex of a tropical plant or
synthetically.

Deformation- the action or process of changing in shape or distorting, especially through the
application of pressure.

Stress- pressure or tension exerted on a material object.

Finite element method- The finite element method is the most widely used method for solving
problems of engineering and mathematical models. Typical problem areas of interest include the
traditional fields of structural analysis, heat transfer, fluid flow, mass transport, and
electromagnetic potential.

Static program analysis- is the analysis of computer software that is performed without actually
executing programs, in contrast with dynamic analysis, which is analysis performed on programs
while they are executing.
REFERENCES

https://coloradowinefest.org/piezoelectric-ferroelectric-single-crystals-were-first-measured-12/

https://patents.google.com/patent/US20090297267A1/en

Elham Maghsoudi Nia et al 2017 IOP Conf. Ser.: Mater. Sci. Eng. 291 012026

http://www.zdnet.co.uk/news/emerging-tech/2009/11/03/paving-tiles-harness-energy-of-
pedestrians-39854659

http://www.cnn.com/2011/10/13/tech/innovation/pavegen-kinetic-pavements/index.html

Journal of Energy & Environment

Journal homepage: www.uniten.edu.my/jee

International Journal of Engineering and Innovative Technology (IJEIT) Volume 3, Issue 10,
April 2014
International Journal of Advanced Research in Computer and Communication Engineering
Vol. 3, Issue 10, October 2014
www.ijarcce.com